Disney buys Lucasfilm … three questions from a “Star Wars” fan

I was as surprised about the timing of Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm from George Lucas for $4.05 billion. But I wasn’t shocked that Lucas unloaded his Bay Area empire. From a spectator’s point of view, he has seemed less and less attached to the company’s creative direction since the release of the second trilogy of “Star Wars” films. The most passion we’ve seen him exhibit was for the “Red Tails” movie — a film he could have made on his own without the licensing rights to “Star Wars” or “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”

My two biggest questions were answered right away: Will Lucasfilm remain in the Bay Area (yes, in the short term at least, which makes sense) and will there be new “Star Wars” movie (of course, with Lucas as a “creative consultant”).

I am an unapologetic “Star Wars” fan who grew up watching the films. I also felt strongly that Lucas was right in his previous position to stop the series at six feature films.

Here are my three biggest remaining questions. Apologies if they’ve been answered since I started typing furiously at 2:30 p.m. …

1. What will a new “Star Wars” film look like with such a short window? The most amazing piece of information to me was the 2015 target release date for a 7th “Star Wars.” I’m doubtful there’s a detailed concept for this film, much less a script or a filmmaker attached. Three full years — giving the benefit of the doubt for a holiday release — is an incredibly fast turnaround for a project of that scope. My hope as a fan is that this isn’t another “Iron Man 2” situation, where the studio’s eagerness to pump out a sequel on a tight deadline seriously harms the potential of the finished product.

My hope: It gets pushed back to 2016 or 2017 or however long it takes to make a decent film.

2. Does this mean anything for Pixar? Disney-owned Pixar was once owned by Lucas, and has strong professional and historical ties with George Lucas’ company. A lot of talented people have worked at both places, and it’s probably no exaggeration to say most of the Pixar brain trust grew up worshiping the “Star Wars” films. I’d be surprised to see anyone from Pixar taking creative control of Lucasfilm (John Lasseter can’t possibly fit any more on his plate), but I wouldn’t be shocked to see even more synergy between the two entities.

My hope: Pixar filmmakers are heavily involved in “Star Wars 7.” (Let’s just give it a name now … “Star Wars: Episode VII: A Twist of Fett.” It has to feature Boba Fett, right?) I would actually be excited about a new “Star Wars” film with “Toy Story 3” director Lee Unkrich — who has a darker sensibility and live action background — and “Up” producer Jonas Rivera attached.

3. What will George Lucas do now? When I interviewed Lucas a few years ago, he said that after “Red Tails,” he would start making more personal movies — small-scale films along the lines of “THX-1138” that he would produce regardless of major distribution possibilities. I believed this at the time — it’s essentially what Francis Ford Coppola is doing — and still think it’s possible. Since then, though, he seems to be driven even more by his social conscience. And he now has $4.05 billion burning a hole in his pocket. So things could get really interesting.

My hope: He funds a few bats**t crazy film projects that a studio would never touch, just for the hell of it. Or he fills Marin County with low-income housing projects right near the wealthiest center of each city. Or he invents a time-traveling car that runs on trash. Four billion can go a long way if you’re a rich guy who wants to stick it to The Man …

My fourth question would be the timing of Episode VII in the “Star Wars” saga. My first guess is between Episodes III and IV, because I’m pretty sure that’s when the live action TV show that never got off the ground was going to take place. Second guess is after “Return of the Jedi.”

Looking forward to your thoughts in the comments.

PETER HARTLAUB is the pop culture critic at the San Francisco Chronicle and founder/editor of The Big Event. He takes requests. Contact him at phartlaub@sfchronicle.com. Follow him on Twitter @peterhartlaub. Follow The Big Event on Facebook.